Can a C# MsTest project be converted to Microsoft.NET.Sdk project format?

Question

I've got a C# MsTest project that targets net48. I've change the project it tests to the newer style Microsoft.NET.Sdk csproj format and that went ok. Now I want to convert the unit test project too.

I get errors about namespace Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting cannot be found: error CS0234: The type or namespace name 'VisualStudio' does not exist in the namespace 'Microsoft'

To solve that, I added the assembly reference to the csproj:

  <ItemGroup>
    <Reference Include="Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.UnitTestFramework" />
  </ItemGroup>

But I get errors that it can't be found. warning MSB3245: Could not resolve this reference. Could not locate the assembly "Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.UnitTestFramework". Check to make sure the assembly exists on disk. If this reference is required by your code, you may get compilation errors.

This was found ok when the old csproj format was used.

How can I get this assembly reference to be found, or what is the preferred way of making this work?

Does this answer your question? Where to find "Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestTools.UnitTesting" missing dll? Seems to be an exact duplicate — Pavel Anikhouski
– Pavel Anikhouski, Commented May 12, 2020 at 20:14
@PavelAnikhouski Thanks for the link. No it didn't answer the question, I've effectively tried the first answer there, but I'm using a different project format and the assembly can't be resolved. — Scott Langham
– Scott Langham, Commented May 12, 2020 at 20:37
@Pavel I tried a different package, I'm having more success with MSTest.TestFramework. It now builds, thanks. — Scott Langham
– Scott Langham, Commented May 12, 2020 at 20:51
I'm now just having this issue: Starting test execution, please wait... Test run will use DLL(s) built for framework .NETFramework,Version=v4.0 and platform X64. Following DLL(s) do not match framework/platform settings. MyTest.VsTests.dll is built for Framework .NETFramework,Version=v4.8 and Platform AnyCPU. — Scott Langham
– Scott Langham, Commented May 12, 2020 at 20:52

Mark · Accepted Answer · 2022-08-31 22:14:01Z

1

Here are 3 possible solutions:

Upgrade to MSTestV2 by adding the nuget packages MSTest.Framework and MSTest.TestAdapter.

CAVEAT: MSTestV2 only supports .NET Framework 4.5 and later.

Continue using MSTestV1 by helping visual studio find the Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.UnitTestFramework.dll reference, by adding this to your csproj: <PropertyGroup><AssemblySearchPaths></AssemblySearchPaths></PropertyGroup>

see this explanation for why that's necessary

Continue using MSTestV1 by browsing to the dll's path when adding the reference to Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.UnitTestFramework.dll

Depending on your version of VS the path will be something like: Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\Professional\Common7\IDE\PublicAssemblies

I used #2 because we target net40 and have multiple developers working on different versions of VS.

edited Aug 31, 2022 at 22:14

answered Aug 31, 2022 at 21:57

Mark

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Scott Langham · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-12 20:59:46Z

1

Add the nuget packages MSTest.TestFramework and MSTest.TestAdapter.

The test framework allows the unit tests to build and brings in the required namespaces. The second allows the test runner to find the tests in the project.

answered May 12, 2020 at 20:59

Scott Langham

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1 Comment

Mark Over a year ago

The nuget packages you linked to are MSTestV2 but Microsoft.VisualStudio.QualityTools.UnitTestFramework is MSTestV1.

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